325 Total Yards and 2 TDs...Yeah, Spiller and Ford are good.
After a long, crazy regular season, the ACC Championship Game is set and so is the number of ACC teams making a bowl. We have probably the best game possible with Clemson vs. Georgia Tech in the ACC Championship Game as it was great in September and both teams have improved since then. The Eagle Bank Bowl will remain ACC-less as we only have 7 teams and BC/FSU are fighting over San Francisco now. NC State, Maryland, Virginia, and Duke all did they what they do best with losing. Rivalry games-a-plenty are coming next week for our last full week of ACC football.
Rank (LW)….Team……………………..Record
1)..(1)…Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets…………..10-1(7-1 ACC)
Got the week to prepare for UGA and find out that they face Clemson in Tampa in two weeks for the ACC.
2)..(2)..Clemson Tigers………………8-3(6-2 ACC)
C.J. Spiller went out on top in Death Valley in the early evening of Saturday with a 34-21 victory over Virginia. The Tigers ticket was already punched to Tampa with a BC loss, but would not be able to put UVA away in the first half with only a 3 point lead. Clemson ratcheted up the defense in the second half with 8 sacks and 0 points allowed. The Tigers go on the road to South Carolina for their annual rivalry game and then on to Florida for the ACC Championship Game.
3)…(3)…Virginia Tech Hokies…………………8-3(5-2 ACC)
The Hokies found their offensive weapon and repeatedly fired with Ryan Williams and 120 yards with 4 TDs in a 38-10 win. Per usual this season for the Wolfpack, they put up a fight early, but faltered down the stretch as the Hokies shut them out in the second half with holding them to 10 points the whole game. The Hokies get the feisty ‘Hoos next week.
4)..(5)..North Carolina Tar Heels………………………8-3(4-3 ACC)
The Heels came out swinging at Chestnut Hill with a defensive stop, long drive to TD, fumble return for TD, and interception return for TD to get an early 21-0 lead. I could mention the Heels offensive stats, but it’s the defense that won this thing and have led UNC on this run. They have one game left to secure a spot most likely in one of the ACC’s top 4 bowls with NC State next week.
5)..(6)..Miami Hurricanes………………………8-3(5-3 ACC)
Duke gave them trouble in the first half as they trailed 13-10, but Miami’s talent would out-last the Blue Devils to a 34-16 win. Jacory Harris chucked the ball around 43 times for 348 yards and 2 TDs(1 INT). Miami still trying to get back to their earlier dominance and could show it off against an up/down South Florida team.
6)..(4)..Boston College Eagles………………….7-4(4-3 ACC)
When it rains it pours, eh, BC fans? If it isn’t enough that the Tigers have put away their choking ways, UNC decides to punch you in the mouth too on senior day. BC clearly is not playing their best football at this point and really need a win at Maryland to keep them from slipping further and further down the bowl pecking order.
7)..(8)..Florida State Seminoles……………6-5(4-4 ACC)
For how tumultuous a season it was, FSU getting back to .500 in conference is a mini-miracle and it is thanks to their spectacular offense that is being run by a backup QB in Manuel. Maryland had the ball for 37+ minutes, would have a loooooong drive in the 4th quarter to take the lead, and intercept a pass with under 3 to go in the game–and FSU would still win 29-26. We at OTB are going to focus on the positive of the Noles being bowl-eligible ignore that they play next week for obvious reasons.
8)..(7)..Duke Blue Devils…………………………5-6(3-4 ACC)
We told ya that the wheels had come off the bus weeks ago, but that they would give Miami a fight–and they did. Duke is out of bowl contention now and are really kicking themselves about that Richmond loss now. They finish it up with Wake Forest at home next week to get to .500 which would be an accomplishment for the Devils.
9)..(9)..Wake Forest Demon Deacons…4-7(2-5 ACC)
Got a bittersweet bye week after being eliminated from bowl contention to prepare for the trip to Durham.
10)..(10)….Virginia Cavaliers…………………..3-8(2-5 ACC)
I got to see Groh’s ‘Hoos in-person and they really are not that bad a squad. They battled in Miami, against BC, and in Clemson when their season was essentially down the tubes which impresses me and shows that Groh has something going right. But maybe I’m seeing things, I could see in the Hoos’ offensive huddles that they were not going to score on Clemson in the second half–I did not see the fire that I knew that Clemson would come out with after giving up 21 points in the first half. There were not any coaches in their players’ ears on Virginia’s first drive and I think that’s a big deal–just one problem that is sending Groh towards the door.
11)..(11)..North Carolina State Wolfpack………….4-7(1-6 ACC)
Same song, different verse for NC State as they give some effort, but cannot sustain the effort on the road–but they were overmatched anyway. NC State has their one game playoff game wrapped up in a season finale with North Carolina to spoil their momentum going into the bowls.
12)..(12)..Maryland Terrapins……………………2-9(1-6 ACC)
You had it, but then you didn’t. The Terps executed well against a generally bad FSU defense which is positive news for the future of Maryland, but bad teams find ways to lose and though FSU gifted the game to them with a six minute drive for a TD and an INT–a bad punt/cover led to an FSU drive to a TD to finish off the Terps who are looking for double digit…losses and get their shot against BC next week at home.
Agree with the rankings? Think they’re wrong? Offer a comment…
